Guest Post: Sautéed Apples with Bacon

As I am away in South Carolina for my little sisters wedding,  I was lucky to grab a few guests for you. Today I’m proud to introduce you to my first guest food writer.  I’m happy to say that I would definitely walk down a dark alley with this girl! (hahaha, we wouldn’t be caught in a dark alley).  Please read & enjoy, and go visit my lovely friend at her site. Now let me go grab some vanilla ice cream!

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Today, I’m definitely happy to be posting on Michelle’s blog, A Recipe Junkie! Michelle and I actually met a month or so ago when I was in Miami and let me just tell you, this girl is definitely a fun friend to have! Not only did we hit it off because of cultural similarities (both Dominican families), but for our love of food. We met over coal-fired pizza and had a fantastic time just laughing and talking. Actually, it was more laughing than talking! Oh! I haven’t introduced myself! I’m Nelly Rodriguez, food writer for the blog “Cooking with Books” and I’m here to share a recipe that should be on every holiday table from now on!

What’s better than bacon? (Nothing, but play along)…Caramelized Apples WITH Bacon! And you want to make that even better? How about adding a touch of liquid smoke to bring out the savory-ness of the bacon; a sprinkle of dark brown sugar to aid in caramelization and a big drizzle of maple syrup just because it’s awesome with bacon! Check out my recipe for Sautéed Apples with Bacon!

This is a great side dish for any holiday dinner and the sweetness of the apples, paired with the salty-smoky bacon makes anyone’s mouth water as soon as the apples and bacon start caramelizing.  Not only is this a delicious side dish, but you can:

• Top a warm spinach salad
• Serve on the side of a roasted pork loin
• Use as a topping for sweet potatoes
• Top vanilla ice cream for a unique dessert

One of the ingredients in this dish is “liquid smoke” and you can find it at any grocery store, close to the barbeque sauces and condiments. What is liquid smoke? Simply put, it’s a seasoning created from smoke passed through water. Used in barbeque seasoning and even in chocolate, the quality liquid smoke brings is unlike no other and definitely improves the flavor (in my opinion), when used sparingly! Now, go get some apples (because I’m assuming you ALWAYS have bacon in the house) and make this recipe!

Sautéed Apples with Bacon

Yield: 4-6 servings

1. In a cast iron pan, sauté bacon with liquid smoke until halfway cooked.

2. Slice apples into ½ inch slices (not to thin, so they keep their shape). 

3. Toss with maple syrup and dark brown sugar.

4. Pour apples into cast iron over bacon and sauté while maple syrup and brown sugar caramelize.

5. Add orange juice and cook over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates.

6. Season with vanilla salt and continue cooking until apples turn light brown color and bacon is cooked and caramelized.